Thar be High Elves!

[Fritz]

In case you hadn't seen it, GW Denver accidentally post the following on their facebook page:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mh3iEZtQG6I/U ... 2614_n.jpg

The three phoenix models shown are the most obvious of the new things. If you look carefully at the bottom center, you can also see what appears to be the rumored flying chariot with some kind of bolt thrower on the front.

There are plenty of other rumors floating around that are interesting to say the least, but there is only one quasi-solid one floating out there that you guys would find important: by most accounts always strike first is dead. However, what exactly is replacing it is open to debate. The most credible rumors right now say that we'll see the Martial Prowess rule (which currently only Spearmen and Lothern Sea Guard have) extended to all units for both shooting and close combat. That means most units would fight in three ranks (spears would fight in 4 ranks just like right now) in combat, and shoot in three ranks as well. There are also a persistent rumor that Martial Prowess also includes the ability to have a parry save regardless of primary weapon. However, it is unclear if a shield is still required. So here's what it might mean:

Spears and Sea Guard would decline in overall offensive power since they would get the exactly the same number of attacks, but no re-rolls. They might, however, be getting heavy armor and a parry save. It sounds like a good trade if their points don't change much (I think Sea Guard still should see a 1 point decrease or so). Spears should be anvil units IMO. A 4+ save and a 6+ ward is a good way to do that.

White Lions, Phoenix Guard, and Swordmasters would have about the same amount of offensive power. They would get no re-rolls, but they would also get more attacks. Let's assume I have a unit of 15 elite infantry that's 5 wide. Right now that unit would get 10 attacks with re-rolls (15 for Swordmasters). Under the rumored new rule, they would get 15 attacks (20 for Swordmasters) with no re-rolls. Assuming they're hitting on 3+, ASF would mean an average of 9 hits (13 for SMs) were as the rumored new rule would mean 10 hits (13 for SMs). So with no decline in raw offensive power, why would a 6+ parry save be warranted for elites? Because it becomes a heck of a lot easier to bring them down below their maximum potential. Let's take that same 15 man unit. Right now you have to kill 6 of them before their offensive output begins to decline. With Martial Prowess, their offensive capabilities begin to decline with the first death.

There are plenty of other rumored rules out there, but I think this supposed Martial Prowess one is the one that would have the biggest impact with how High Elves play. We still have a month to go, so all we can do is wait and see.

[Berserker]

Those models looks beautiful! =)

[Titus]

Damn GW, trying to take all my money. Chaos, Dark Angels, then Tau, now High Elves, next they are going to tell me Bretonians are finally get redone.

[Fritz]

Rumormongers are saying that's the last army book/codex for a while. The summer is supposed to be an Apocalypse update and some wave releases. Around September/October Eldar and Lizards are supposed to be popping up.

[MorGrendel]

Wow, so pretty. I don't believe in accidental releases. I believe GW is owned by Rupert Murdoch.

Pheonixes ehh. Well there you go, the one thing HE didn't have, cheap dragons. I can hear it now, "What do you mean a phoenix is just a cheaper dragon, they are nothing alike, its breath weapon is only Strenght 4!" I kid, I kid.

Poor Bretonians. Do you think the fact that the company is actually centered in Nottingham that they struggle with believable Crusader fluff. Heck, I think that be a great way to go with them. Add a Robin of Locksley who has just returned from a Crusade, say against Chaos or Beastmen. I think Brets protecting their forests from Beastmen would be great.

[Fritz]

Pheonixes ehh. Well there you go, the one thing HE didn't have, cheap dragons. I can hear it now, "What do you mean a phoenix is just a cheaper dragon, they are nothing alike, its breath weapon is only Strenght 4!" I kid, I kid.

What I'm hearing is some kind of weird cross between a proper monster, hexwraiths, and a stone thrower. They don't have much hitting power in close combat compared to other monsters (S4 T5 with only 3 attacks), but they still have the thunderstomp. They also have a weird ass flaming attack. Supposedly when they fly over a unit, they place a small round template before scattering it 2D6. It isn't a breath weapon, so it can keep doing it turn after turn. So yeah, they have fire like a dragon, but the comparison pretty much stops there. Again, it's just rumors, so take it all with a grain of salt. All that is known is that the phoenix exists.

[Fritz]

I was a little off with my release schedule information. Apparently this is the latest:

June: Eldar
July: Apocalypse
August: Lizardmen
September: Blood Bowl
October: Space Marines
November: Dwarves
December: Hobbit
January: Tyranids

Pretty ambitious.

[Titus]

Poor Bretonians. Do you think the fact that the company is actually centered in Nottingham that they struggle with believable Crusader fluff. Heck, I think that be a great way to go with them. Add a Robin of Locksley who has just returned from a Crusade, say against Chaos or Beastmen. I think Brets protecting their forests from Beastmen would be great.

They did used to have a Robin Hood Special Character. They no longer make him. He was an upgrade for a unit of archers.

[MorGrendel]

He should come back, i.e. he just returned from a far.
I was thinking Retinues could be just the thing for Brets. Each "hero" can get a cadre of 9, and they can link up with other "Sherwood" heroes, to make bigger units (a la deathstar). Retinue abilities would then stack, such as +1 st or +1 bs or fear.

Whoa two books for me this year! Liz need it. Tyranids I thought played OK, though they need the rule that if there is no opponent to fight, then they eat everything and leave. Hmmm, a bug that eats terrain... interesting.

[Fritz]

More pictures:

http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44910

[MorGrendel]

Frost Phoenix? How does one sit on a phoenix? Magic Bows?

[Fritz]

I guess we'll find out. Magic bows seem to be the least odd and perfectly in sync with High Elf fluff. Phoenixes are perfectly fine, although the frost is...different. I'll wait and see what the fluff is like. Riding a flaming Phoenix is just straight goofy. I'm sure they'll go with something like 'a chosen of Asuryan is immune to the fires' but that's a bit of a reach. I only intend to use unridden ones anyway.

[Fritz]

The new Loremaster of Hoeth character for High Elves has been 99% confirmed thanks to White Dwarf sightings. He apparently is a Lord selection that has the fighting stats of a HE Hero (WS6, W3, A3, LD9) but is also a level 2 wizard. Furthermore, he does not roll for spells: he automatically knows the signature spells from all 8 of the BRB lores. While I dig the new GW model for the character, he doesn't really fit in with the theme of the army. Instead, I converted this guy over the last few days:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ClKYbyXphc/U ... 57_800.jpg

[Fritz]

My new book is in hand! I've posted my review on my blog: http://warhammertruthiness.blogspot.com ... eview.html. Fair warning: it's quite lengthy.

[MorGrendel]

That's quite a write up. You must be a coffee drinker.

Personally, I would try as much new stuff as possible, and if you are going to call it a "shooty" list, then everything should shoot. Swap the Frost for a Flame Phoenix, and swap the Lions for Seagaurd. I can't see that change being drastically weaker than the other list, but would allow you to try out two new units and reinforce the shooting. Make your opponent come to you and survive a hail of fire. I'd tell you to drop the Phoenix gaurd, but with there ability to have a 3+ Ward, I think you'd sooner cut your fingers off. That's disgusting by the way, and may be the most broken thing GW has ever done. I hope the erreta takes away stacking, or they meant Magic Resistance.